When did the transition to Canada occur, and what was the journey like?
The relocation started in 2018 with an initial residence permit, followed by a full move in 2019, a couple of years before the pandemic reshaped many lives. The plan was to work for an American company while based in Canada.
Indeed, the person works for an American firm. At 10up the position is Lead Developer in Frontend, concentrating on user interfaces and the experiences visitors interact with on sites like socialbites.ca. The tenure with the company stands at nearly three years as of August, with hiring taking place in 2020. The company designs the site and manages development from its side, while the individual contributes as a frontend specialist.
What led to the move to Canada? Even while handling frontend work in Russia, a large portion of the client base came from Los Angeles and other U.S. firms. That made collaboration with the United States appealing, yet coordinating across time zones posed real challenges for freelance work.
Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker program served as a key driver. The program lays out requirements such as education level, a clean criminal record, and work experience. Notably, work experience does not always need to be verified to align with formal education in every case. If someone works in fields like web design or graphic design under the broader IT umbrella, an employer’s confirmation of identity and English proficiency can determine eligibility.
For many applicants, reaching the required point threshold triggers an invitation to submit a full documentation package. The entire process—from the initial idea to final approval—took about a year. The embassy issues an invitation, after which an immigrant visa is granted and entry into Canada follows.
Regarding prior experience with Russian companies before the move, the individual began as a graphic designer in Chelyabinsk. Over time, web design work emerged as the team started accepting website orders alongside graphic printing, aided by connections and introductions from the father and other acquaintances. A project in which a new programmer disappeared near the New Year led to taking on and completing the first site’s development during the Christmas holidays, deepening an interest in web-based development. A back injury later redirected focus toward development and design, reinforcing a commitment to frontend work, with six months of recovery and learning shaping the next steps.
As time went on, more orders came into the studio, and freelancing opportunities followed through networks with Moscow-based companies. The specialization in frontend development aligned well with the designer’s affinity for the visual aspects of the work, reinforcing a natural progression into the frontend field.
Why Canada? A classmate’s move to Canada and the relatively fast document processing influenced the decision. The country’s immigration policies appeared more flexible, and during the Covid period, expired permits enjoyed an extended renewal window of eighteen months, a provision not commonly observed in the United States. This flexibility helped ease the transition during uncertain times.
Life in Canada
Upon arrival, the first stop was Toronto, but a two-week stay preceded a relocation to Montreal for two years before returning to a more permanent life in Toronto. The choice between Montreal and Toronto hinges on practical considerations. Montreal offers lower housing and living costs, but higher provincial taxes and certain service costs; Toronto presents higher housing and living costs with comparatively lower taxes. For someone earning a moderate salary, Montreal can be more economical, yet the language landscape matters. Montreal’s French roots mean that knowing French is valuable for fully enjoying life there, although English is widely used in public spaces. A local quirk is the common bilingual greeting Bonjour hi, illustrating the city’s flexible language culture, with T-shirt tributes to this mix.
Canada’s main drawbacks include taxation and cost of living. Some IT professionals who moved from Russia note that a large portion of earnings goes toward rent and taxes. The balance between salary and cost of living can shift significantly as income grows; for example, at higher annual earnings, the progressive tax rate increases meaningfully. The individual’s earnings align with a roughly 30 percent income tax in their region for around a certain salary level, with taxes rising as income climbs.
Freelancer life in Canada has its quirks. Working with 10up as a sole trader means a restriction on taking other paid engagements. Health insurance differs from the U.S. system, with drugs being freely provided within certain provincial programs, though some services like dentistry and cosmetology may require payment or employer coverage. While there was no direct offer to become a full-time employee with the American company, options exist for visas that allow residing in Canada while working for U.S. firms. The long-term goal includes pursuing a Canadian passport, which could enable easier access to cross-border work opportunities and potential future residency benefits.
Canada’s passport is valued for travel flexibility. A Canadian passport can simplify travel within the Schengen area, and corporate events like the annual 10up summit, which has included locations such as Iceland, highlight the practical travel advantages. The passport application process is straightforward and involves testing knowledge of the country, checking for travel restrictions, and tracking time spent in Canada. With the right documentation, travel becomes markedly easier.
Self-employment has its advantages and drawbacks. While independence offers a degree of flexibility, it also requires careful tax planning and administrative upkeep. Some days are spent in coworking spaces to avoid constant remote work from home, balancing productivity with the benefits of a more dynamic work environment.
Settling in Canada
The adaptation journey lasted about a year. In the initial phase, tax responsibilities weren’t immediate, but after a year, the process of paying taxes, obtaining a driver’s license, opening a bank account, and securing health coverage began in earnest. Finding housing can be challenging for newcomers who must build a credit history and prove employment prospects. In the early days, many opt to share living arrangements or stay with friends while networking for job opportunities. Building credit can start with products like prepaid cards that behave like a debit mechanism, with the goal of eventually using standard credit options and minimizing the need for cash in daily life.
Language transition progressed steadily due to early English immersion. A background in language training as a child proved valuable, reducing the typical early-stage friction. The daily routine now involves frequent English usage through work calls and a diverse circle of friends from Canada, India, and Asia. In this environment, English becomes the common lingua franca and a practical skill that keeps everyday life moving smoothly.